Why is finding time to do the things we want or need to do so difficult for some, and so easy for others?
Once in a while I get a comment from clients asking how it is I always seem to be so well organized: having information seemingly at my fingertips, accessible within moments of needing it; responding to emails and phone calls within a relatively short time; having deliverables actually delivered on the day they were promised. Things like that.
And the answer is laughable. It’s because I’m the most disorganized person I’ve ever met. Seriously. I’m really a slob. I just tried to open a mango and had to take a shower. It wasn’t pretty, and would probably have been enough to send the most militant vegetarian off fruit forever. I also get lost in thought quite easily, which makes me a bit absent-minded. I’m the guy who puts the milk in the cupboard and has to call his own cell phone because he doesn’t remember where he left it. And to add insult to injury, I also happen to be one of these people who was born left-handed, but was trained out of it at an early age for reasons I still don’t understand but might have something to do with fears of witchcraft, but I really don’t know. This makes me ambidextrous at a few things, but just basically clumsy at anything society considers necessary or practical. I can write with both hands, and they are equally illegible.
But I’ve acknowledged these things about myself. So when it comes to anything important, I know that if I don’t make a concerted effort to keep on top of every detail, it will take only 45 minutes before I’m lost in a quagmire of backlogged emails, stacks of paper, and forgotten deadlines.
It’s much the same for finding time to do things that are important to me. Many people ask me where I seem to find the time to do what I do. Not only do I get lost in thoughts and daydreams (I’ve lost whole afternoons gazing at trees and clouds), I’m also an experienced procrastinator (Revenue Canada can attest to this). That can be a lethal combination when it comes to managing a dozen websites, editing manuscripts, writing novels, or anything else that requires daily shots of intensity over long periods of time. But, again, I understand these things about myself. I know that if I don’t do it today… I’ll probably not get back to it for weeks, or months.
Time is a democratic phenomenon. We are each given 24 hours each day – no more, no less. We can search all we want, but there are no more hours to be found than what we already have. The most important tactic I have found to ensure I make room in the time I have for something important, is to first plant a seed.
As an example, I decided to write about this topic several days ago. And I knew if I didn’t take that seed of an idea and plant it somewhere, it would soon get lost in that big virtual duffel bag where so many of my ideas get placed and forgotten. Instead of worrying about finding the time to do it, I took just one minute, and found a nice graphic and uploaded it into WordPress. I didn’t have to think about it again. Instead, it began thinking about me. It called to me, barely audible the first day, but getting louder and more pronounced, the seed of an idea taking shape (through mixed metaphors and all) until it finally, today at lunchtime, shouted out, demanding my attention. And now its just about done.
So instead of worrying about finding the time to do the things you most want to do, try making the time today – one minute, five minutes, or even an hour. The momentum of the smallest action will soon find its way back to you.
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{ 1 comment }
This might be my FAVORITE post by you. At first I was like—wait—why is he talking about me (3rd paragraph is ALL me!).
I think those who are able to make time are actually living more in the moment—doing this minute one and minute five off to that–than organizing upon organizing that leads to nowhere. Now, I do make lists and am considered fairly organized to some. But I am also all over the place (*ahem* no need to mention my timeline!).
Anyway, great post and nails the following to the bones: 1)you will always make time for what you want unless you don’t know what you want. 2) living in moments allows time to get more done than waiting for the right time.
Cheers.
~a.
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